AFF U16: INDONESIA FIGHT BACK TO HOLD TIMOR IN OPENER

VIENTIANE (7 July 2011) – Indonesia fought back from two goals down to hold Timor Leste to a pulsating 3-3 draw in the opening match of Group A of the AFF Under-16 Championship that was played tonight at the National Stadium here.

Timor, who had comprehensively beaten Indonesia 2-0 in the same meet last year that was held in Solo, were the first off the block when they carved the lead as early as the second minute when Januario Jesus made good on a cross from Francyatma Kefi for a header which went over Indonesian keeper Muhamad Aek Nabara.

The Indonesians then rallied in search of the equaliser with Bagas Adi Nugroho unleashing a curling freekick which went over the cross bar while some time later, a header from Indra Nasution went wide.

But it was Timor who went in front again in the 33rd minute when Jorge Alves picked up a pass from midfield before turning a defender and then veering away from Muhamad Nabara for a shot into an empty goal.

The score at the half was 2-0 to Timor’s advantage.

The Indonesian youth side then upped the tempo after the break and right at the hour mark, they gained some measure of confidence when captain Muhamad Hargianto’s shot came off the crossbar.

Four minutes later, it was Terens Owang Puhiri’s turn to be denied by the woodwork before Indonesia finally got their first goal of the game off a penalty from captain Muhammad Hargianto.

In the 78th minute, Indonesia carved out their second goal and the equaliser when off a cross from Rendi Refsanyami, the waiting Zalnando blasted to the far post.

But that equaliser did not last long when barely a minute later, some lackadaisical defending allowed Timor Lester to put their nose in front again from Jose Santos’ wicked shot from the edge of the box.

It would seem however that the game is not over until the man in black blow his whistle where right at the end, Rendi gave Indonesia the all-important equaliser with a shot from close range.

“We were so close to winning the game but I suppose winning one point is better than losing all three,” said Francisco Jeronimo, the head of delegation for Timor.

“The boys played well, so we really have no complain although we should have the staying power towards the end.”

Replied Mundari Karya, the chief coach of Indonesia: “like what I said before this tournament, I just want the players to play and enjoy themselves.

“I don’t want to pressure them too much at this point. It was a good team effort and they showed character after coming back from a goal down.”

Group A – Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, Timor Leste, Indonesia

Group B – Myanmar, Vietnam, Singapore, Cambodia, Philippines

Date	Group		Match	Time		Venue
5Jul2011		Arrival of Teams & Match Officials
6Jul2011		Team Managers’ Meeting
7Jul2011	A		Indonesia vs Timor Leste Malaysia vs Thailand	3 – 3 1900		Nat. Sports Complex
8Jul2011	B		Philippines vs Cambodia Singapore vs Vietnam	1700 1900		Nat. Sports Complex
9Jul2011	A		Indonesia vs Malaysia Timor Leste vs Laos	1700 1900		Nat. Sports Complex
10Jul2011	B		Cambodia vs Myanmar Philippines vs Singapore	1700 1900		Nat. Sports Complex
11Jul2011	A		Thailand vs Timor Leste Laos vs Indonesia	1700 1900		Nat. Sports Complex
12Jul2011	B		Myanmar vs Philippines Vietnam vs Cambodia	1700 1900		Nat. Sports Complex
13Jul2011	A		Indonesia vs Thailand Malaysia vs Laos	1700 1900		Nat. Sports Complex
14Jul2011	B		Singapore vs Myanmar Philippines vs Vietnam	1700 1900		Nat. Sports Complex
15Jul2011	A		Timor Leste vs Malaysia Thailand vs Laos	1700 1700		Anouvong Std Nat. Sports Std
16Jul2011	B		Cambodia vs Singapore Vietnam vs Myanmar	1700 1700		Anouvong Std Nat. Sports Std
17Jul2011		Rest Day
18Jul2011	SF1 SF2		Winner A vs Runnerup B Winner B vs Runnerup A	1700 1900		Nat. Sports Complex
19Jul2011		Rest Day
20Jul2011	3 rd/4th Final		Loser SF1 vs Loser SF2 Winner SF1 vs Winner SF 2	1700 1900		Nat. Sports Complex
21Jul2011		Departure of Teams & Officials